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Arizona gets best-ever ranking in national survey of prosperity, but still below average

Arizona's destinations and people are recognized nationally in a variety of ways. For better or for worse, here are some recent lists Arizona landed on. Photo: Nick Oza/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

Arizona's destinations and people are recognized nationally in a variety of ways. For better or for worse, here are some recent lists Arizona landed on.
Photo: Nick Oza/The Republic

HARDEST-WORKING RESIDENTS: According to a new study from Zippia, lengthy commutes partly explain why Queen Creek residents are what one group says are the hardest workers in Arizona. Along with average commute times and the number of adults with college degrees — arguably a measure more of academic achievement than on-the-job work — the study also looked at more conventional factors such as average hours worked, workers per household and the labor-force participation rate. Getty Images

Arizona made the list!

HARDEST-WORKING RESIDENTS: According to a new study from Zippia, lengthy commutes partly explain why Queen Creek residents are what one group says are the hardest workers in Arizona. Along with average commute times and the number of adults with college degrees — arguably a measure more of academic achievement than on-the-job work — the study also looked at more conventional factors such as average hours worked, workers per household and the labor-force participation rate.
Getty Images

EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT: Arizona ranked 34th for effectiveness of state government, according to a new study by U.S. News & World Report released in May 2019. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT: Arizona ranked 34th for effectiveness of state government, according to a new study by U.S. News & World Report released in May 2019.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

CHILD DEATHS IN HOT CARS: Arizona has seen 35 vehicular heatstroke deaths in the past 20 years, putting Arizona behind just three other states. More than 800 children have died of heatstroke as a result of being left in hot cars since 1998. Getty Images

Arizona made the list!

CHILD DEATHS IN HOT CARS: Arizona has seen 35 vehicular heatstroke deaths in the past 20 years, putting Arizona behind just three other states. More than 800 children have died of heatstroke as a result of being left in hot cars since 1998.
Getty Images

RATIO OF STUDENTS TO COUNSELORS: Arizona's student-to-counselor ratio was the highest in the nation, with an average of 905 students for every school counselor. The newest numbers, from the 2016-2017 school year, are from the American School Counselor Association. Arizona's ratio is more than three times the organization's recommended ratio of 250:1, and is near twice the national average of 455:1. maroke/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arizona made the list!

RATIO OF STUDENTS TO COUNSELORS: Arizona's student-to-counselor ratio was the highest in the nation, with an average of 905 students for every school counselor. The newest numbers, from the 2016-2017 school year, are from the American School Counselor Association. Arizona's ratio is more than three times the organization's recommended ratio of 250:1, and is near twice the national average of 455:1.
maroke/Getty Images/iStockphoto

DANGEROUS STATES FOR ONLINE DATING: Arizona was named the No. 6 most dangerous state for online dating in 2019, according to a study by HighSpeedInternet.com. Data analysts used violent crime and cybercrime data from the FBI, STD data from the CDC and sex education data to rank all 50 U.S. states. Leon Neal/Getty Images

Arizona made the list!

DANGEROUS STATES FOR ONLINE DATING: Arizona was named the No. 6 most dangerous state for online dating in 2019, according to a study by HighSpeedInternet.com. Data analysts used violent crime and cybercrime data from the FBI, STD data from the CDC and sex education data to rank all 50 U.S. states.
Leon Neal/Getty Images

DEADLY CITIES: Rankings were calculated by CBS News indicate Phoenix is the 32nd most deadly city in the U.S. Mesa came in at No. 50, and Tucson was No. 36.The ranking used raw 2017 figures compiled by the Major Cities Chiefs Association, and used current population data to calculate per capita homicide rates. Tom Tingle/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

DEADLY CITIES: Rankings were calculated by CBS News indicate Phoenix is the 32nd most deadly city in the U.S. Mesa came in at No. 50, and Tucson was No. 36.The ranking used raw 2017 figures compiled by the Major Cities Chiefs Association, and used current population data to calculate per capita homicide rates.
Tom Tingle/The Republic

OZONE POLLUTION: The American Lung Association's 20th annual "State of the Air" report ranked Phoenix as the seventh most ozone-polluted metropolitan area in the country. That's one spot worse than last year's 8th place ranking. And although Phoenix's ozone pollution is among the highest in the U.S., data provided by the Maricopa County Air Quality Department shows the Phoenix area's ozone reading actually fell 11.2 percent on average from 1990 to 2018. Isaac Hale/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

OZONE POLLUTION: The American Lung Association's 20th annual "State of the Air" report ranked Phoenix as the seventh most ozone-polluted metropolitan area in the country. That's one spot worse than last year's 8th place ranking. And although Phoenix's ozone pollution is among the highest in the U.S., data provided by the Maricopa County Air Quality Department shows the Phoenix area's ozone reading actually fell 11.2 percent on average from 1990 to 2018.
Isaac Hale/The Republic

SIXTH LEAST-GAMBLING ADDICTED STATE: According to a WalletHub study released May 2019, Arizona is the sixth least gambling-addicted state. Sezeryadigar, Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arizona made the list!

SIXTH LEAST-GAMBLING ADDICTED STATE: According to a WalletHub study released May 2019, Arizona is the sixth least gambling-addicted state.
Sezeryadigar, Getty Images/iStockphoto

SADDEST AND ANGRIEST CITY: Tucson is the saddest and angriest city in Arizona, tweeting #sad and #angry more frequently than any other city in the state, according to an analysis released in April 2019. Getty Images

Arizona made the list!

SADDEST AND ANGRIEST CITY: Tucson is the saddest and angriest city in Arizona, tweeting #sad and #angry more frequently than any other city in the state, according to an analysis released in April 2019.
Getty Images

FASTEST-GROWING COUNTY: More people moved to Maricopa County than any other county in the nation in 2018, according to U.S. Census Bureau population estimates released in April 2019. This is the second year in a row that the county led in growth. Michael Chow/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

FASTEST-GROWING COUNTY: More people moved to Maricopa County than any other county in the nation in 2018, according to U.S. Census Bureau population estimates released in April 2019. This is the second year in a row that the county led in growth.
Michael Chow/The Republic

BEST CITIES FOR LGBTQ RETIREES: SeniorAdvice, an online resource for elders and caregivers, ranked Tucson as the third best city in the nation for LGBTQ retirees. Tempe took the No. 6 spot. Thinkstock

Arizona made the list!

BEST CITIES FOR LGBTQ RETIREES: SeniorAdvice, an online resource for elders and caregivers, ranked Tucson as the third best city in the nation for LGBTQ retirees. Tempe took the No. 6 spot.
Thinkstock

TOP PLACES TO LIVE: Phoenix ranked as the 26th best larger U.S. city in which to live, down from 19th place last year, in the 2019 study by U.S. News & World Report of 125 metro areas. That was down from 67th place in last year's study. The rankings are based on information gleaned in five key areas: job-market strength (20 percent of the scoring total), housing affordability (25 percent) and quality of life (30 percent), a broad category that includes local crime rates, access to and quality of health care, educational facilities, average commute times and more. In the latest ranking, Phoenix was hurt most noticeably by a lower score in the broad quality-of-life category. The city's scores in the four other categories were either identical or only slightly different from last year. David Kadlubowski/The Republic, David Kadlubowski/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

TOP PLACES TO LIVE: Phoenix ranked as the 26th best larger U.S. city in which to live, down from 19th place last year, in the 2019 study by U.S. News & World Report of 125 metro areas. That was down from 67th place in last year's study. The rankings are based on information gleaned in five key areas: job-market strength (20 percent of the scoring total), housing affordability (25 percent) and quality of life (30 percent), a broad category that includes local crime rates, access to and quality of health care, educational facilities, average commute times and more. In the latest ranking, Phoenix was hurt most noticeably by a lower score in the broad quality-of-life category. The city's scores in the four other categories were either identical or only slightly different from last year.
David Kadlubowski/The Republic, David Kadlubowski/The Republic

FINDING A JOB: A 2018 study by WalletHub ranked Scottsdale the No. 1 place in the U.S. to find a job. The Republic

Arizona made the list!

FINDING A JOB: A 2018 study by WalletHub ranked Scottsdale the No. 1 place in the U.S. to find a job.
The Republic

NATIONAL CAPITAL OF COFFEE POD MAKERS: Gilbert, Arizona, has the highest share of households that own a single-cup or pod-brewing coffee maker, at 24.5 percent, according to WalletHub. The personal-finance website also reports the coffee industry in the U.S. is valued at $48 billion. No surprise there. Keurig

Arizona made the list!

NATIONAL CAPITAL OF COFFEE POD MAKERS: Gilbert, Arizona, has the highest share of households that own a single-cup or pod-brewing coffee maker, at 24.5 percent, according to WalletHub. The personal-finance website also reports the coffee industry in the U.S. is valued at $48 billion. No surprise there.
Keurig

MOST SCENIC: Four Arizona restaurants on OpenTable's list of '100 Most Scenic' for 2018: Elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort in Paradise Valley (pictured); Vivace Restaurant in Tucson, Arizona; Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill in Sedona; and A Different Pointe of View at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix. Al Payne

Arizona made the list!

MOST SCENIC: Four Arizona restaurants on OpenTable's list of '100 Most Scenic' for 2018: Elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort in Paradise Valley (pictured); Vivace Restaurant in Tucson, Arizona; Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill in Sedona; and A Different Pointe of View at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix.
Al Payne

FREE THINKERS: Travel site Expedia in 2018 named Bisbee one of America’s 15 hidden gems and the best for free thinkers. Michael Chow/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

FREE THINKERS: Travel site Expedia in 2018 named Bisbee one of America’s 15 hidden gems and the best for free thinkers.
Michael Chow/The Republic

ARIZONA CARDINALS: The Arizona Cardinals made the Forbes 2018 list of the top 50 sports teams globally. The team is worth an estimated $2.15 billion, according to Forbes. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

ARIZONA CARDINALS: The Arizona Cardinals made the Forbes 2018 list of the top 50 sports teams globally. The team is worth an estimated $2.15 billion, according to Forbes.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

LEAST STRESSED: Scottsdale residents are the sixth least stressed among residents in 182 U.S. cities, according to aWallethub study published in July 2018. The Republic

Arizona made the list!

LEAST STRESSED: Scottsdale residents are the sixth least stressed among residents in 182 U.S. cities, according to aWallethub study published in July 2018.
The Republic

PATRIOTISM: WalletHub ranked Arizona 18th in the nation for patriotism. States were evaluated using 13 indicators, including a state's number of veterans and active-duty military personnel, how many of its residents vote and whether the state has a civics education requirement. Even though WalletHub doesn't consider Arizona terriblypatriotic, it did give the state props for putting ona good Fourth of July party. Scottsdale ranked 28th best place to celebrate Fouth of July in the nation, but was ranked second in the nation for affordability. Tucson ranked 30th best place;Phoenix ranked 39th, Mesa ranked 43rd, Chandler ranked 50th, Glendale ranked 51st and Gilbert ranked 72nd. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

PATRIOTISM: WalletHub ranked Arizona 18th in the nation for patriotism. States were evaluated using 13 indicators, including a state's number of veterans and active-duty military personnel, how many of its residents vote and whether the state has a civics education requirement. Even though WalletHub doesn't consider Arizona terriblypatriotic, it did give the state props for putting ona good Fourth of July party. Scottsdale ranked 28th best place to celebrate Fouth of July in the nation, but was ranked second in the nation for affordability. Tucson ranked 30th best place;Phoenix ranked 39th, Mesa ranked 43rd, Chandler ranked 50th, Glendale ranked 51st and Gilbert ranked 72nd.
Patrick Breen/The Republic

AMAZON PRIME CITIES: Phoenix is the third most Amazon Prime-friendly city in the United States, according to an analysis by Shorr Packaging Corp. Los Angeles ranks No. 1, and San Francisco's Bay Area comes in second. Whole Foods Market

Arizona made the list!

AMAZON PRIME CITIES: Phoenix is the third most Amazon Prime-friendly city in the United States, according to an analysis by Shorr Packaging Corp. Los Angeles ranks No. 1, and San Francisco's Bay Area comes in second.
Whole Foods Market

POOREST CITIES: South Tucson was named the 5th poorest city in the country by a June 2018 report from 24/7 Wall Street. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arizona made the list!

POOREST CITIES: South Tucson was named the 5th poorest city in the country by a June 2018 report from 24/7 Wall Street.
Getty Images/iStockphoto

HOTTEST STATE: Arizona ranked 11th hottest state in the nation, according to average temperatures reported in June 2018 by 24/7 Wall Street. Number one goes to Texas. Brian Munoz / The Republic

Arizona made the list!

HOTTEST STATE: Arizona ranked 11th hottest state in the nation, according to average temperatures reported in June 2018 by 24/7 Wall Street. Number one goes to Texas.
Brian Munoz / The Republic

VACCINATION EXEMPTIONS: Phoenix was named as one of the top cities where children are not vaccinated in June 2018. The study was published in the PLOS Medicine journal. Getty Images

Arizona made the list!

VACCINATION EXEMPTIONS: Phoenix was named as one of the top cities where children are not vaccinated in June 2018. The study was published in the PLOS Medicine journal.
Getty Images

BEST BIG CITY: Money magazine has ranked Mesa in 2018 as the best big city in the Southwest, saying it's "a great, affordable city for raising a family." Michael Schennum/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

BEST BIG CITY: Money magazine has ranked Mesa in 2018 as the best big city in the Southwest, saying it's "a great, affordable city for raising a family."
Michael Schennum/The Republic

WORST CITIES: Tucson ranked 31 out of 50 on a June 2018 list by 24/7 Wall Street of the worst cities to live in the United States. It was the only Arizona city to be included. Russ Wiles/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

WORST CITIES: Tucson ranked 31 out of 50 on a June 2018 list by 24/7 Wall Street of the worst cities to live in the United States. It was the only Arizona city to be included.
Russ Wiles/The Republic

CHILD-CARE COSTS: Arizona is ranked the third-least affordable state for summer programs in 2018 by the left-leaning Center for American Progress. Charlie Leight/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

CHILD-CARE COSTS: Arizona is ranked the third-least affordable state for summer programs in 2018 by the left-leaning Center for American Progress.
Charlie Leight/The Republic

APARTMENT CONCESSIONS: Phoenix ranks ninth among big U.S. cities for the most apartment concessions currently being offered, according to a 2018 report. At new Valley apartments, it's typical for a renter to get about three weeks free. Michael Schennum/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

APARTMENT CONCESSIONS: Phoenix ranks ninth among big U.S. cities for the most apartment concessions currently being offered, according to a 2018 report. At new Valley apartments, it's typical for a renter to get about three weeks free.
Michael Schennum/The Republic

POPULATION GROWTH: Phoenix and Buckeye were among the fastest-growing cities in the nation in 2017, according to population estimates released by the Census Bureau. Maricopa County was also among the fastest-growing populations in 2016. David Kadlubowski/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

POPULATION GROWTH: Phoenix and Buckeye were among the fastest-growing cities in the nation in 2017, according to population estimates released by the Census Bureau. Maricopa County was also among the fastest-growing populations in 2016.
David Kadlubowski/The Republic

LAND WORTH: In May 2018, Arizona was named the 39th most valuable state based on land worth by Wall St. 24/7, a business website. According to the report, Arizona is worth roughly $4,328 per acre. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

LAND WORTH: In May 2018, Arizona was named the 39th most valuable state based on land worth by Wall St. 24/7, a business website. According to the report, Arizona is worth roughly $4,328 per acre.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

ECONOMIC MOMENTUM: Arizona is ranked No. 5 for economic momentum, according to a March 2018 national report called the Federal Funds Information for States. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arizona made the list!

ECONOMIC MOMENTUM: Arizona is ranked No. 5 for economic momentum, according to a March 2018 national report called the Federal Funds Information for States.
Getty Images/iStockphoto

OVERALL STATE RANKING: Arizona ranked No. 39 on the U.S. News & World Report 2018 rankings of all 50 states. Scott Craven/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

OVERALL STATE RANKING: Arizona ranked No. 39 on the U.S. News & World Report 2018 rankings of all 50 states.
Scott Craven/The Republic

UNAFFORDABLE RENT: In February 2018, metro Phoenix ranked the 9th most unaffordable city for renters nationally, according to a SmartAsset study. Getty Images

Arizona made the list!

UNAFFORDABLE RENT: In February 2018, metro Phoenix ranked the 9th most unaffordable city for renters nationally, according to a SmartAsset study.
Getty Images

BEST HIGH SCHOOL: In 2018, Basis Scottsdale charter school was named the best high school in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. Four of the other top-10 schools were also Basis charter schools in Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

BEST HIGH SCHOOL: In 2018, Basis Scottsdale charter school was named the best high school in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. Four of the other top-10 schools were also Basis charter schools in Arizona.
Mark Henle/The Republic

PROSPERITY: Arizona improved in prosperity since 2017, but still ranked among the bottom third of states in health care, jobs and family finances, according to a 2018 survey from Prosperity Now. Eric Lowenbach, Getty Images

Arizona made the list!

PROSPERITY: Arizona improved in prosperity since 2017, but still ranked among the bottom third of states in health care, jobs and family finances, according to a 2018 survey from Prosperity Now.
Eric Lowenbach, Getty Images

VEGAN FRIENDLY: In December 2017, Scottsdale was ranked No. 8 in vegan and vegetarian friendliness among U.S. cities by WalletHub. The Republic

Arizona made the list!

VEGAN FRIENDLY: In December 2017, Scottsdale was ranked No. 8 in vegan and vegetarian friendliness among U.S. cities by WalletHub.
The Republic

TOP OFFICIAL: Governing Magazine named Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton among the top public officials in the country in November 2017. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

TOP OFFICIAL: Governing Magazine named Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton among the top public officials in the country in November 2017.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

HOME OWNERSHIP: Chandler was ranked as the best city to buy a family home, according to an October 2017 data analysis from SmartAsset. (Gilbert followed as No. 3 and Scottsdale was No. 8.) Tom Tingle/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

HOME OWNERSHIP: Chandler was ranked as the best city to buy a family home, according to an October 2017 data analysis from SmartAsset. (Gilbert followed as No. 3 and Scottsdale was No. 8.)
Tom Tingle/The Republic

UGLY STATE CAPITOL: Thrillist's September 2017 list of "The flat-out ugliest state capitols in the country" ranks Arizona No. 1. But the article displays the state's Executive Tower, not the original Arizona state capitol as shown here. The Republic

Arizona made the list!

UGLY STATE CAPITOL: Thrillist's September 2017 list of "The flat-out ugliest state capitols in the country" ranks Arizona No. 1. But the article displays the state's Executive Tower, not the original Arizona state capitol as shown here.
The Republic

Poppies at Picacho Peak State Park. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

Poppies at Picacho Peak State Park.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

SAFEST CITY: In December 2017, Gilbert was ranked as the fifth safest city in the U.S., according to an analysis from WalletHub. David Kadlubowski/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

SAFEST CITY: In December 2017, Gilbert was ranked as the fifth safest city in the U.S., according to an analysis from WalletHub.
David Kadlubowski/The Republic

HEALTHIEST CITY: In June 2017, Scottsdale came in third place overall for the healthiest city in the country, according to Wallethub. The Republic

Arizona made the list!

HEALTHIEST CITY: In June 2017, Scottsdale came in third place overall for the healthiest city in the country, according to Wallethub.
The Republic

WOMEN IN OFFICE: In June 2017, Representation 20/20 ranked Arizona third in the nation in gender parity of elected officials. The Republic

Arizona made the list!

WOMEN IN OFFICE: In June 2017, Representation 20/20 ranked Arizona third in the nation in gender parity of elected officials.
The Republic

CYBER CRIMES: Arizona ranked No. 9 nationally for money lost from cyber crimes in 2015, according to a 2017 report by the FBI's Internet Crime Complain Center. Arizonans lost $8.9 million in those internet crimes. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arizona made the list!

CYBER CRIMES: Arizona ranked No. 9 nationally for money lost from cyber crimes in 2015, according to a 2017 report by the FBI's Internet Crime Complain Center. Arizonans lost $8.9 million in those internet crimes.
Getty Images/iStockphoto

MOST INNOVATIVE: Arizona State University was named the most innovative school among national universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2017 for the third year in a row. Michael Schennum/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

MOST INNOVATIVE: Arizona State University was named the most innovative school among national universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2017 for the third year in a row.
Michael Schennum/The Republic

BEST COLLEGE TOWN: In 2017, Northern Arizona University's humble home of Flagstaff was ranked third best college town in the nation by the American Institute of Economic Research. Crystal Ochoa/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

BEST COLLEGE TOWN: In 2017, Northern Arizona University's humble home of Flagstaff was ranked third best college town in the nation by the American Institute of Economic Research.
Crystal Ochoa/The Republic

EMPLOYMENT: Scottsdale was ranked the No. 1 city for jobs across the United States, according to WalletHub’s 2017 survey. More than 20 percent of Arizona’s corporate headquarters are in Scottsdale. Heather Reich, The Republic

Arizona made the list!

EMPLOYMENT: Scottsdale was ranked the No. 1 city for jobs across the United States, according to WalletHub’s 2017 survey. More than 20 percent of Arizona’s corporate headquarters are in Scottsdale.
Heather Reich, The Republic

ONLINE DEGREES: Arizona State University's online bachelor's-degree programs ranked No. 4 in the country in January 2017, based on an online ranking by U.S. News and World Report. The report evaluated 300 schools. Ben Moffat/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

ONLINE DEGREES: Arizona State University's online bachelor's-degree programs ranked No. 4 in the country in January 2017, based on an online ranking by U.S. News and World Report. The report evaluated 300 schools.
Ben Moffat/The Republic

CHILD WELL-BEING: Arizona finished 46th out of the 50 states in the June 2017 Annie E. Casey Foundation survey on child well-being. Factors considered are child poverty, teen birthrate and access to healthcare. David Kadlubowski/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

CHILD WELL-BEING: Arizona finished 46th out of the 50 states in the June 2017 Annie E. Casey Foundation survey on child well-being. Factors considered are child poverty, teen birthrate and access to healthcare.
David Kadlubowski/The Republic

CREDIT SCORES: Phoenix residents have the worst credit in the nation among cities with a population of 300,000 or more, according to a March 2017 WalletHub survey. Getty Images

Arizona made the list!

CREDIT SCORES: Phoenix residents have the worst credit in the nation among cities with a population of 300,000 or more, according to a March 2017 WalletHub survey.
Getty Images

VALENTINE'S DAY: Scottsdale was ranked as the second best place to be on Valentine's Day 2017, according to WalletHub. The rankings were based on romance potential and budget-friendliness. File photo

Arizona made the list!

VALENTINE'S DAY: Scottsdale was ranked as the second best place to be on Valentine's Day 2017, according to WalletHub. The rankings were based on romance potential and budget-friendliness.
File photo

GET HITCHED: Scottsdale is the sixth best place to get married in 2017 due to its numerous attractions and activities, according to WalletHub. The Venue Scottsdale/Scottsdale Wedding Walk

Arizona made the list!

GET HITCHED: Scottsdale is the sixth best place to get married in 2017 due to its numerous attractions and activities, according to WalletHub.
The Venue Scottsdale/Scottsdale Wedding Walk

MOVING IN: Arizona was ranked as the 10th-highest state for attracting people moving across state lines during 2016, according to an annual report by United Van Lines. Robert Daly/Getty Images

Arizona made the list!

MOVING IN: Arizona was ranked as the 10th-highest state for attracting people moving across state lines during 2016, according to an annual report by United Van Lines.
Robert Daly/Getty Images

Arizona made the list!

BEST FOR VETS: All three of Arizona's public universities made Military Times' November 2016 "Best for Vets" list. Arizona State University was ranked No. 66, the University of Arizona was 74 and Northern Arizona University was 79. Getty Images

Arizona made the list!

BEST FOR VETS: All three of Arizona's public universities made Military Times' November 2016 "Best for Vets" list. Arizona State University was ranked No. 66, the University of Arizona was 74 and Northern Arizona University was 79.
Getty Images

SMOKING QUITTERS: In September 2016, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that the adult smoking rate in Arizona has dropped to 14 percent. Getty Images

Arizona made the list!

SMOKING QUITTERS: In September 2016, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that the adult smoking rate in Arizona has dropped to 14 percent.
Getty Images

MOST FUN: Scottsdale and Tempe were ranked Nos. 10 and 13, respectively, on WalletHub's list of "2016's Most Fun Cities in America." Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

MOST FUN: Scottsdale and Tempe were ranked Nos. 10 and 13, respectively, on WalletHub's list of "2016's Most Fun Cities in America."
Mark Henle/The Republic

INTOXICATION AND PREVENTION: A 2016 study by personal-finance site WalletHub ranked Arizona No. 1 in criminal penalties for driving under the influence and No. 2 in DUI prevention efforts among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Republic

Arizona made the list!

INTOXICATION AND PREVENTION: A 2016 study by personal-finance site WalletHub ranked Arizona No. 1 in criminal penalties for driving under the influence and No. 2 in DUI prevention efforts among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The Republic

JOB SEARCH: Arizona is the sixth-most difficult state in which to find full-time work, according to an August 2016 survey by 24/7 Wall St. Stockbyte/Getty Images

Arizona made the list!

JOB SEARCH: Arizona is the sixth-most difficult state in which to find full-time work, according to an August 2016 survey by 24/7 Wall St.
Stockbyte/Getty Images

COLLEGE TOWN: Tempe was named the best college town in the United States in 2016 by Livability. Tempe also ranked No. 7 on their list of Top 10 Downtowns. Jessie Wardarski /The Republic

Arizona made the list!

COLLEGE TOWN: Tempe was named the best college town in the United States in 2016 by Livability. Tempe also ranked No. 7 on their list of Top 10 Downtowns.
Jessie Wardarski /The Republic

SUPPORT FOR PARENTS: Arizona only met the minimum federal standards under the Family and Medical Leave Act, according to a report released by "Expecting Better" in August 2016. The state also received the same grade in the 2014 report, when it was one of 17 states that failed. Creative Commons

Arizona made the list!

SUPPORT FOR PARENTS: Arizona only met the minimum federal standards under the Family and Medical Leave Act, according to a report released by "Expecting Better" in August 2016. The state also received the same grade in the 2014 report, when it was one of 17 states that failed.
Creative Commons

WEED LOVERS: Arizona is one of the top 10 best states for marijuana enthusiasts to live and buy a home, according to an Estately blog published April 2016. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

WEED LOVERS: Arizona is one of the top 10 best states for marijuana enthusiasts to live and buy a home, according to an Estately blog published April 2016.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

PUBLIC EDUCATION: Network for Public Education in 2016 gave Arizona an F grade in education, while the country averaged a D. Arizona's policy on high-stakes testing was a high point of the report, but it got F’s for school finance, professionalization of teaching and privatization. Getty Images

Arizona made the list!

PUBLIC EDUCATION: Network for Public Education in 2016 gave Arizona an F grade in education, while the country averaged a D. Arizona's policy on high-stakes testing was a high point of the report, but it got F’s for school finance, professionalization of teaching and privatization.
Getty Images

INTERNET IN SCHOOLS: Only 63 percent of Arizona's school districts provide the federal standard for broadband connection, according to a November 2015 report. States like New York and South Carolina have almost all schools meeting the standard. Nick Oza/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

INTERNET IN SCHOOLS: Only 63 percent of Arizona's school districts provide the federal standard for broadband connection, according to a November 2015 report. States like New York and South Carolina have almost all schools meeting the standard.
Nick Oza/The Republic

WALLET WELLNESS: Gilbert has the highest median income in the country, making it the top city for "wallet wellness," according to a 2015 national financial-responsibility ranking of 150 U.S. cities. Michael Schennum/The Republic

Arizona made the list!

WALLET WELLNESS: Gilbert has the highest median income in the country, making it the top city for "wallet wellness," according to a 2015 national financial-responsibility ranking of 150 U.S. cities.
Michael Schennum/The Republic

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Arizona ranked 17th nationwide in energy efficiency, according to a 2015 report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Michael Smith/flickr

Arizona made the list!

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Arizona ranked 17th nationwide in energy efficiency, according to a 2015 report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
Michael Smith/flickr

HOME OWNERSHIP: A consumer-advocacy website in April 2015 named Buckeye the sixth-best location in Arizona for home ownership based on population growth, availability and affordability. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arizona made the list!

HOME OWNERSHIP: A consumer-advocacy website in April 2015 named Buckeye the sixth-best location in Arizona for home ownership based on population growth, availability and affordability.
Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto

RETIREMENT: In 2015, Scottsdale was the second best place to retire in the United States, according to a study by WalletHub. Peoria was the tenth best. Criteria included cost of living, weather and hospital access. Getty Images/Pixland

Arizona made the list!

RETIREMENT: In 2015, Scottsdale was the second best place to retire in the United States, according to a study by WalletHub. Peoria was the tenth best. Criteria included cost of living, weather and hospital access.
Getty Images/Pixland

GUNS AT THE AIRPORT: Seventy-three guns were found in carry-on bags in Phoenix's airport in 2015. Phoenix placed fifth in the nation for most gun discoveries in airports, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Transportation Security Administration

Arizona made the list!

GUNS AT THE AIRPORT: Seventy-three guns were found in carry-on bags in Phoenix's airport in 2015. Phoenix placed fifth in the nation for most gun discoveries in airports, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
Transportation Security Administration

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PROSPERITY: Arizona improved in prosperity since 2017, but still ranked among the bottom third of states in health care, jobs and family finances, according to a 2018 survey from Prosperity Now.(Photo: Eric Lowenbach, Getty Images)

Arizona made progress over the past year and achieved its best overall ranking in an annual national study of household financial wellness conducted by the progressive Prosperity Now organization.

But economic improvement at the national level isn't broadly shared by lower-income Arizonans, and the report puts the state among the bottom third nationally, at 36th among the states.

Among the good news: Arizona's unemployment rate is at an 11-year low, the poverty rate has decreased slightly and the housing market is solid, with some of the nation's lowest rates of foreclosures and delinquent mortgages.

But widening income inequality, underemployment, education deficiencies and a relatively low rate of health-insurance coverage pinpointed some of the problems.

Arizona's overall ranking marked an improvement from 40th place last year and represents Arizona's best showing in the study, which has been conducted annually since 2012 and intermittently before that dating back to 2002.

The study evaluates the 50 states and Washington, D.C., in five areas: financial assets/income, businesses/jobs, homeownership/housing, health care and education.

Here's how Arizona fared:

Homeownership and housing: 16th place

RENTAL RETURNS: Rental properties in metro Phoenix posted an average annual return of 8.7 percent from 1986 to 2014, placing 20th out of 30.(Photo: The Republic)

Arizona’s highest ranking among the 50 states and Washington, D.C., was in this category, helped by the nation's third-lowest rate of foreclosures and eighth-lowest rate of delinquent mortgages.

Among negatives, a large percentage of Arizona homeowners have high-cost mortgages, which often reflect low credit scores.

Assets and income: 31st place

Arizona next-best showing was in financial assets/income, with relatively high levels of emergency savings but poor results in terms of overall poverty and the proportion of seriously delinquent borrowers.

One notable finding was that the richest 20 percent of Arizona households earn 4.6 times more than the poorest 20 percent, a relatively wide income-inequality gap.

Education: 39th place

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Get the basics on Arizona's measurements of success.
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Relatively good marks for student-loan debts and and college degrees by income in Arizona were offset by poor showings in terms of high school graduation rates, college degrees by race and early childhood education enrollments, among other factors.

Businesses and jobs: 44th place

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Here are more than 80 companies, government entities and non-profit organizations collectively advertising more than 22,000 open positions across Arizona this month. Each of these employers is looking to fill at least 100 jobs. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arizona State University, hiring 120. The state university is filling an assortment of jobs, from receptionists to faculty instructors. More info: cfo.asu.edu/applicant. Michael Schennum / The Republic

Deloitte, hiring 390. The consulting and financial-advisory company has openings ranging from cyber-risk consultant to SAP HR manager. More info:jobs2.deloitte.com/us/en. SiteLock is one of many companies they have ranked. Parker Leavitt/The Republic

Edward Jones,hiring 290. The financial services company has openings ranging from insurance service specialists to team leaders. More info:http://careers.edwardjones.com/index.html. RiverNorthPhotography, Getty Images

General Dynamics, hiring 100. The aerospace and defense company has openings ranging from software engineers to customer-service representatives. More info: generaldynamics.com/careers/job-search. Mark Henle/The Republic

Intel Corp., hiring 150. The semiconductor manufacturer is adding jobs from data scientists to research engineers. More info: intel.com/content/www/us/en/jobs/jobs-at-intel.html David Kadlubowski/The Republic, David Kadlubowski/The Republic

Sonora Quest Laboratories, hiring 110. The laboratory system is adding positions ranging from laboratory technicians to sales and marketers. More info:sonoraquest.com/careers. David Wallace/The Republic

Tenet Healthcare, hiring 430. The company that includes Abrazo Community Health Network operates hospitals, outpatient centers, among other health-care services. More info: tenethealth.com/careers/join-our-team. Getty Images

While Arizona has the nation's highest proportion of women-owned businesses, it suffers in other areas. These include a relatively high underemployment rate and the nation's lowest rate of small-business ownership in general, according to the study.

Health care: 47th place

Arizona's lowest ranking among the five main categories came in health care. It reflected a high health uninsurance rate (near 12 percent of the population), a high rate of uninsured low-income children and a low rate of workers with employer-provided coverage.

All told, the study evaluated 62 measures in the five categories in ranking the states. Vermont had the top overall ranking, followed by New Hampshire, Hawaii, Minnesota and Utah. Mississippi placed last.

How can the state improve?

Andrea Levere, president of Prosperity Now, called on Arizona lawmakers to "invest in the state's most financially vulnerable residents," especially as federal income-tax reform could widen income inequality.

Among race-related findings cited in the report, Arizona's minority households are 1.5 times less likely to own a home than White households. Also, nearly 22 percent of minority households have income at or below the federal poverty level, compared to 11 percent of White households.

Arizona has made some progress to support financial security, according to the report, which cited the state's adoption of mandatory paid sick leave for nearly all workers as a positive.

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That change, the result of a ballot initiative vigorously opposed by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, took effect last year. But the study criticized Arizona for reducing funding for workforce training, which can make it more difficult for residents to find quality jobs.

Nationally, Prosperity Now sees income inequality widening, especially as a result of income-tax reform. The group called on states to do more to help families achieve financial stability and prosperity.

Among other key national findings:

Nearly 37 percent of households don't have enough liquid savings to make ends meet for just three months in the event of a job loss or other significant financial setback, including 61 percent of Latino households and 57 percent of Black households, compared to 28 percent of White households.

Among consumers, nearly one in four has at least one account in collections on their credit report, leaving them vulnerable to having wages or bank accounts garnished.

The nation's homeownership rate has held steady, near 64 percent, yet homes have gotten more expensive, making purchases more elusive for many.